Seats 5...

520-1

General
This repair group covers removal and
installation of the front and rear seats.

Seat design and upholstery

The front seats installed in E46 cars

come in either manual or powered
versions. They offer firm support and
comfort. Their internal construction is
engineered to work together with the
vehicle suspension to absorb vibration.
The internal ventilation system of the

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seats adds to the built-in comfort of
these seats.

Convertible front seats are unique to

those models in that they incorporate
the seat belts. This is called the Seat
Integrated Seatbelt (SGS) system.

Vinyl is the most common upholstery,

and leather is an available option. The
leather appears not only on the seats
but on the door panels and other areas
as well.

Front seatback nets are standard.

Seat adjustments

Regardless of level of trim, E46 seats

offer the following minimum
adjustments, with manual (photo) or
power controls (below):

Fore-aft position

Backrest angle

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Cushion height

Head restraints.

Seat memory system

In cars with seat memory, the driver's

front seat incorporates two control
modules: One in the seat adjusting
switch (arrow) and the second under
the seat cushion. The two modules
process the following:

Seat adjustments

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Comfort entry aid switch (2-door
models)

Seat backrest lock microswitch

(2-door models)

Seat belt fastened

K-bus communication with the

General Module (GM V) and
instrument cluster

The driver seat module stores three

seat positions for recall. The
information is stored in non-volatile
memory, preventing loss of memory in
case of electrical power failure or
battery disconnection.

The seat adjusting switch block in the

driver's seat communicates with the
seat cushion control module over
dedicated lines. The output stages for
seat motor movement are in the seat
cushion control module. Seat positions
are recognized through the use of Hall
sensors in the motors. All components

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of the seat memory system are

monitored for faults. Access the fault
codes using BMW scan tool DIS or
MoDiC.

In Coupe and Convertible models, the

easy entry feature facilitates access to
the rear seats. When a front backrest is
folded over, the entire seat moves
forward 90 mm (3.54 in.) to facilitate
rear entry. In models with seat memory,
the seat control module memorizes the
position of the seat and headrest when
the entry aid feature is activated. The
seat will return to its previous set
position when the entry aid button is
pressed rearward or the seat backrest
is locked.

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The passenger's seat on four door
models uses a simplified control
system within the switch block and
does not include a memory module. No
on board diagnostics are incorporated
into the passenger seat on these
models.

Driver seat memory module

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Passenger seat memory module

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Rear seat configuration

Split rear folding seats are optional in

the Sedan and standard in the Sport
Wagon and Coupe. They are split 1/3

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right to 2/3 left with a folding center
armrest in the left portion. The armrest,
when folded down, is equipped with a
storage compartment and cupholders.

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520-2

Front Seats
Seat removal and installation is similar
for all versions. Seat disassembly
differs in detail among the many
models of seats.

Seat repair and component

replacement is possible once the seat
has been removed from the vehicle.

Front seat, removing and

installing

WARNING!

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The front seats are equipped
with pyrotechnic seat belt
tensioners. These tensioners are
powerful devices and should be
handled with extreme care.
Incorrect handling can trigger
off the tensioner and cause
injury.

BMW recommends that all repair

or replacement work on
pyrotechnic devices must be
carried out by a qualified BMW
technician.

Be sure to disconnect the

battery and wait 5 seconds
before attempting to work on
pyrotechnic devices.

Pyrotechnic devices cannot be

repaired. Always replace them.

Never treat pyrotechnic

components with cleaning
agents or grease.

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Do not expose pyrotechnic

components to temperatures
above 75°C (167°F).

Pyrotechnic components can

only be tested electrically when
installed, using BMW service
tester DIS, MoDiC or equivalent
scan tool.

Do not fire a pyrotechnic gas

generator prior to disposal. It
must be fired by a special
disposal company or shipped
back to BMW in the packaging

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of the new components.

During body straightening and

welding with an electric arc
welder, always disconnect the
battery and the connection to
the pyrotechnic gas generators.

4-door models: raise seat and move to

its forward position. Working at base of
seat near doors, remove seat belt
mounting bolt (arrow).

- Remove headrests (not

convertible).

Remove two mounting bolts (arrows)

at rear of seat rails.

- Move seat to its rear most position,

keeping it raised.

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Remove plastic caps over front seat

mounting nuts, then remove mounting
nuts (arrows).

- Disconnect negative (-) cable from

battery.

CAUTION!

Prior to disconnecting the battery,

read the battery disconnection
cautions given at the front of this
manual on page viii.

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Tilt seat back to access electrical
harness connectors. Slide lock to
release and disconnect. Cut or untwist
wire ties as necessary.

- Remove seat from car. The

headrests may be removed to
provide additional clearance.

Note:

Use a blanket to protect door sill from

scuffing by seat rail during seat
removal.

- Installation is reverse of removal.

Use wire ties or equivalent means
to keep seat harness wiring from
fraying.

Tightening torque
Front seat to floor 45 Nm (33 ft-lb)
Seat belt end to
seat 48 Nm (35 ft-lb)

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520-3

Rear Seats

Rear seat cushion and

backrest, removing and
installing (fixed seat back
models)

- Pull front of rear seat cushion up

to release clips. While holding
front of cushion up, pull cushion
forward to remove.

Remove rear seat backrest:

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Pull top outer corners of backrest
forward (A) to detach from top
retainers.

Pull entire backrest up (B) to

detach from bottom hooks.

Slide backrest to side to clear seat

belts.

Note:

If the car is equipped with heated rear

seats, detach electrical harness
connector(s) as you remove the seat
components.

- When reinstalling, be sure to pull

seat belts and buckles up through
appropriate slots in seat cushion.

Rear seat cushion and

backrest, removing and
installing (fold-down seat back
models)

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- Pull front of rear seat cushion up

and out of clips. While holding
front of cushion up, pull cushion
forward to remove.

- Tilt backrests forward.

Note:

Remove rear headrests, if equipped, by

pulling straight up.

Remove backrest side section by

pulling out (A) and up (B).

- Working between two sections of

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backrest, remove backrest center
mount screws.

- Remove outer backrest mounting

screws.

- Raise backrests in middle slightly

and separate left and right
backrest guide. Lift backrest(s) out
through back door(s).

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